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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Tim Gartland

As an acclaimed contemporary blues artist, Tim Gartland has spent a lifetime mastering his craft. His journey began at the age of 13, when a Muddy Waters concert in his native Ohio ignited a deep passion for the blues. He picked up the harmonica soon after and immersed himself in the genre’s rich history and emotive power.

Tim quickly came to believe that for blues and roots music to stay relevant, it had to evolve and speak to modern audiences. “The blues is essentially a genre in which the singer is having a cathartic experience,” he says. “If you write about themes that are meaningful to your experience, you will create something new.”

While attending Kent State, Tim played in local bands, sharpening his performance skills. A move to Chicago placed him at the heart of the city’s legendary blues scene, where he shared stages with icons like Bo Diddley, Carey Bell, and Pinetop Perkins. His harmonica style draws clear inspiration from Little Walter, while his approach to interpreting songs and writing lyrics reflects the influence of Ray Charles and Willie Dixon.

Tim later relocated to Boston, becoming a key figure in the New England blues circuit. A finalist in the Boston International Blues Challenge, he performed at both regional and national blues festivals and made guest appearances with some of the area’s top-tier musicians. His first two albums, Looking Into The Sun and Million Stars, recorded during this period, earned praise from The Boston Globe, which called him “a true triple-threat performer, equally accomplished as an emotive vocalist, eloquent harmonica player, and evocative songwriter.”

In 2015, Tim moved to Nashville, where he deepened his focus on songwriting and joined the Nashville Songwriters Association. He was named to their “Ones to Watch” list, and The Nashville Scene noted, “Gartland shows he is a clever and talented songwriter, a skilled harp player and a soulful vocalist. And that’s the truth.” He continues to collaborate with fellow Nashville artists, perform regionally, and contribute his talents to recording sessions.

Since moving to Nashville, Tim has released three solo albums: If You Want A Good Woman, Satisfied, and Truth. DownBeat Magazine praised Satisfied, writing, “His Little Walter-inspired harmonica work can send shivers down your spine, and there is much distinction in his vocals and songwriting too.” His album Truth reached #9 on the U.S. Contemporary Blues Chart and climbed to #5 on Tennessee’s Roots Radio Chart, where it stayed for over four months—one of the longest runs for any artist that year.

Beyond recording and performing, Tim is also a dedicated teacher and author. His instructional book, The Talking Harmonica, has become a popular resource for students across the country, and he continues to teach harmonica online to players nationwide.